The Washington critic., 1887-12-21
THE EDUCATIONAL BILL.


the Senate provides for an appropriation
TO the several States and Territories, in
cludng the District of Columbia, of an
aggregate sum of $77 900 900, covering u
period Of eight years, as follows: The
first year, $1,000, 900; the second, s1O,-
100000; the third, SIS, ,OOO,c COO; the fourth,
S13,oO0,0OO; the fifth, Sl1 100000; the
sixth, $4,000, 900; the seventh, 81 ,O00, 900,
and the eighth, s5,000,O00.
This money is to be divided and paid
out in the several States and Territories
and in the District of Columbia "in that
proportion which the whole number of
persons in each who, being of the age of
ten years and over cannot write, bears
TO the whole number of such persons in
the United States"
1t is to be applied not to the establish
ment of an independent school system,
but TO the assistance Of the common
schools already established, with the
condition that no State or Territory shall
receive more from this source than ii ex-
pends for educational purposes from its
own resources.
Should any State or Territory decline
to receive its share of the fund thus ap-
portioned, such amount shall go TO in
crease the distribution to those who do
accept Its benefits.
Such is brief outline of this import
ant measure, which in substantially the
same form has twice passed the SEN
ate and will probably pass that body
again.
As Senators suggest, ii is bill that
should not he passed with undue haste.
Too much care cannot be given to the
formulation OF its details, that the ma
lincry of its operation may work with
~, friction or complication.
In its general character and objects
&c believe it TO be thoroughly commend
llc and proper legislation.
As to its constitutionality, We enter
in no question. That point has been
lily and eShaustively argued, and the
est constitutional lawyers of the Sem
ltc pronounceit'w it'without valid objection
in that respect.
The question OF expediency which
las been raised is hardly entitled to
consideration. What is just is always
cxpedcnt; and we doubt If ever a bill
was introduced in the Senate in which
the element of justice more strongly pre-
dominated. q
Its main object is, of course, to aid in
Illuminating the gross illiteracy of the
emancipated population of the Southern
States and enabling that unfortunate
factor of the body polite to more intel
ligently comprehend the duties of citi-
zenship prematurely thrust upon it,
The States themselves, or many of them
need this help. They were sbouldered
by the General Government with bur
den greater than they could immedi
ately bear. II is no more than right that
the General Government should con
tribute TO its alienation.
Were Oliver P. Morton alive ht
would vchemently denounce the pro
crastination that has characterized the
Government in its dealings with the en-
franchised blacks. He held that the in
vestture of the colored people of tn,
South with the elective franchise; be
fore the fact Of their individual libert,
had even dawned upon their darkness
and when the responsibilities thus i'm
posed were as sealed book to thei
comprehension, was blunder of tn,
first magnitude.
1t was worse. 1t was in the nature o
a crime against the public welfare. Blu
as Il cannot be revoked, let the Govern
ment do what it may 10 ameliorate tn
wrong.
A thousand bills like Mr.. Chandler
for the regulation OF Congressional elec
tions cannot repair the injury nor liqui
date the solemn Obligations Of the Coy
ernment in this behalf.
II is only by elcvating the illiterat
to a plane of self-respcct and self-assei
ton through the benehcent influence
The common school that the inml1
be lifted. Partisan leG'sln''nu nm
do it. The Blair Jiii p5Ipl4 out H.
means and the way
Il gives nothing in tho sense of choI
i'y 1t simply provides for the pay
clont of u debt long overdue. Ii inter
'cgcs in no way with the local affairs q
the States. II simply doubles thei
school fund and leaves it TO their homo
10 cXpcnd the money in duplication G
Tic scope and facilities of their school;
" SECRETARY LAMAR is confirmed b
Republican Senate, Governor Forake
of Ohio will have a chance to run up
few Of the Confederate fugs he has save
out Of the wreck and Editor Halstea
can print his paper in red ink
IRIS SAID At THE Capitol that accort
ing to length Of service AMI the rule {
succession large majority Of the chail
manships Of House committees would 2
to the South. 1t has always been th
policy Of the Southern States to kee
their best men in Congress continuously
thus securing advantages in legislato
tha; arc plainly apparent. ESpcrienc
invariably catches on" a. il were, i
the composi'ion of conmttees. Ye
there is such thing ss sectional di